Child protection systems for vulnerable children affected by bullying: Mechanisms and development guidelines in Chonburi Province

Abstract

This research aimed to 1. study the bullying situation among vulnerable children and youth in Chonburi Province and 2. propose guidelines for developing a protection system for vulnerable children and youth subjected to bullying in Chonburi Province. A mixed-methods approach was employed, collecting quantitative data from a sample of 907 children and youth aged 13 – 25 across 11 districts in Chonburi Province. This data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, standard deviation, mean, maximum, and minimum values, as well as cross-tabulation for bivariate analysis. Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews with 30 children and individuals involved with children and youth; four focus groups were conducted with professionals working with children, totaling 40 participants. The qualitative data was subjected to content analysis and interpretation, with explanations evaluated against secondary data and reports consistent with academic frameworks. The study findings indicated that 1. the bullying situation among children and youth in Chonburi Province could be classified into three distinct aspects: 1.1 Experiences of being bullied: The majority of children and youth (93.2%) reported having been bullied, while a small percentage (6.8%) had not. 1.2 Experiences as a witness of bullying: A significant majority (97.7%) had witnessed bullying, with only 2.3% having never witnessed it. 1.3 Experiences as a perpetrator of bullying: The majority (88.7%) had bullied others, while 11.3% had never bullied anyone. When considering the perpetrators from the perspective of children and youth, bullying most frequently occurred among friends, seniors, and juniors within the same institution (mean = 3.37). This pattern was followed by bullying from friends in online social networks (mean = 2.20) and friends from different educational institutions (mean = 2.10), respectively. The reasons for bullying varied, stemming from children's attitudes towards bullying, including imitation of behavior, seeking acceptance within peer groups, family roles, family relationships, and social interactions. Some perpetrators had previously been victims of bullying, leading them to bully others. 2. Guidelines for developing a child and youth protection system, comprising three main measures: 2.1 Preventive measures focus on policy advocacy, awareness campaigns, and creating child-friendly environments. 2.2 Supportive and empowerment measures involve developing mediation systems, counseling services, and behavioral intervention programs. 2.3 Protection and recovery measures emphasize establishing quality referral systems, clear procedures, and ongoing follow-up and rehabilitation by multidisciplinary teams. The study demonstrates the importance of integrated and continuous collaboration among families, schools, communities, and relevant agencies to ensure effective child protection.